HLTH 200: Wellness Lifestyles
Credit Hours: (3) Two hours lecture, two hours physical activity per week with laboratory
assessment
Provides students with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves healthy and fit
for life. The lecture provides information on health knowledge. The activity classes
introduce a variety of fitness skills and techniques in order to help the individual
pursue lifetime fitness. The laboratory assessments provide personal health/wellness
data. All three components are integrated to promote a commitment to a wellness lifestyle.
Note(s): This course has been approved for Core Curriculum credit in Health and Wellness.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course is intended to develop knowledge and skills that will enable students
to keep themselves healthy and fit for life. This is accomplished by integrating the
areas of wellness assessment, fitness assessment, personal health education, and a
variety of physical fitness, sport and leisure skills. Lectures provide information
on stress management, chronic and acute diseases, substance abuse, fitness, nutrition,
weight management and consumer health issues.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
"Wellness Lifestyles" has three distinct components:
1. Health/wellness lectures (two hours per week)
The lecture portion of the course incorporates multi-media presentations, discussion,
personal assessment activities, and a variety of investigation techniques to assist
students in analyzing their present and future health risks. Behavior projects/case
studies are used to encourage and guide students through the process of improving
health/wellness related behaviors.
2. Physical activity labs (two hours per week)
Activity labs offer students an opportunity to participate in six different physical
activities throughout the semester. Activities include but are not limited to weight
training, aqua conditioning, circuit training, and aerobic conditioning activities.
3. Wellness/fitness assessment
Assessment activities include a physical fitness evaluation and a blood lipid profile
test.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
By the completion of this course students should be able to:
- identify personal risk factors by interpreting evaluation data concerning their hereditary,
physiological, behavioral, and fitness parameters that can affect their present and
future health and wellness
- acquire knowledge and skills necessary to identify and manage stress
- develop knowledge and understanding of proper nutrition and maintenance of appropriate
body weight
- develop an understanding of the prevention, identification and treatment of chronic
diseases such as coronary disease, cancer, and diabetes
- develop an understanding of the effects of specific substances on the body such as
alcohol, tobacco products, caffeine, and drugs (prescription, over the counter, and
"street drugs")
- provide an understanding of infectious diseases and how they can be prevented
- develop an understanding of environmental awareness and the effect environment has
on each dimension of wellness
- develop a variety of physical skills that can be incorporated in maintaining health
and fitness
- develop a variety of sport, recreational and leisure skills that will enable them
to enjoy and safely participate in such activities for life
- apply information regarding positive lifestyle choices
Broad General Education Goals
By the completion of this course students should be able to:
- think critically and creatively about ideas, issues, problems and texts concerning
the dimensions of personal wellness
- demonstrate the use of a variety of research methods and styles of inquiry necessary
for acquiring and interpreting health related information
- use appropriate computer technologies such as dietary analysis, health risk appraisals,
and behavior monitoring to assist in communicating ideas and solving problems concerning
personal health status
- work in focus groups with the purpose of developing skills and tactics to change health
related behaviors
- identify the personal and cultural values that shape decisions in public, professional,
and private life, and assess the ethical implications of those choices related to
health and quality of life issues
Goals for Area 3 - Health and Wellness
By the completion of this course students should be able to:
- identify how familial and cultural beliefs and values influence decisions made concerning
one's health/wellness
- promote personal well being and enhance the overall quality of life through synthesis
and application of health related information in making improved health related choices
- investigate and apply health related information through behavior modification contracting
or case study development that relates a variety of wellness factors such as nutrition,
stress, and leisure as they influence personal health/wellness decisions
- understand how personal health and lifestyle choices affect society at large through
class discussions concerning health care systems, moral and ethical health issues,
financial aspects of chronic illnesses, etc.
Assessment Measures
Evaluation of student performance in both the course-specific objectives and the General
Education objectives will include the following measures:
Lecture
- Graded and ungraded homework assignments. Assignments are designed to measure creative
and critical thinking skills as well as identify factual information. These assignments
may include in-class writing assignments, behavior modification projects, case studies,
dietary analysis, and health risk appraisals.
- Quizzes and tests are used to measure student knowledge and understanding of course
material.
Activity Labs
- Participation is necessary for learning the physical skills taught in activity classes:
therefore, attendance is required.
- An objective test is given at the end of the semester to measure student understanding
of the components and principles of health related physical activity.
Assessment Activities
- Participation is required for the physical fitness evaluation. Following the evaluation
students are required to complete an assignment that emphasizes the application of
the principles of health related fitness.
- Blood lipid testing is done so students can critically evaluate their present lipid
profile with future risk of developing atherosclerosis. Should a student prefer not
to have the lipid testing done, they may select to write a research paper on the topic
of blood lipids.
Other Course Information
Students are responsible for the cost of the blood lipid profile test.
Review and Approval
September 2001 Reviewed Gib Darden